Switching mechanism associated with governor mechanism

ABSTRACT

A governor switch apparatus including a governor mechanism to be driven at various speeds of a rotary element and a switching mechanism to be actuated by the governor mechanism. The switching mechanism comprises a seesaw lever to be actuated at its central portion by the governor mechanism, a first switching device connected with a first end of the lever and provided with a first normally open switch, a second switching device connected with a second end of the lever to be assembled symmetrically with the first switching device and provided with a second normally open switch, a stopper for blocking the movement of the first end of the lever after closure of the first switch, and a spring for normally biasing the second end of the lever against actuating force exerted on the lever to close the second switch after the closure of the first switch.

United States Patent 1 Sakakibara Dec. 3, 1974 1 SWITCHING MECHANISM ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNOR MECHANISM [75] Inventor: Naoji Sakakibara, Chiryu, Japan [73] Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha,

Asahi-machi, Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan 22 Filed: Nov. 1 4, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 415,785

' 30 Foreign Application Priority Data 9/1971 Smith....., ..200/80R Primary ExaminerHerman Hohauser Attorney, Agent, or FirmOblon, Fisher, Spivak, McClelland & Maier ABSTRACT A governor switch apparatus including a governor mechanism to be driven at various speeds of a rotary element and a switching mechanism to be actuated by the governor mechanism. The switching mechanism comprises a seesaw lever to be actuated at its central portion by the governor mechanism, a first switching device connected with a first end of the lever and provided with a first normally open switch, a second switching device connected with a second end of the lever to be assembled symmetrically with the first switching device and provided with a second normally. open switch, a stopper for blocking the movement of the first end of the lever after closure of the first switch, and a spring for normally biasingthe second end of the lever against actuating force exerted on the lever to close the second switch after the closure of the first switch.

. 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Pmzmu w 31914 snm 10F 3 PATENTEL 9L3 saw 2m 3 Fig. 2

v vent air-pollution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a governorswitch apparatus for control devices to be operated in accordance with the speed of a rotary element such as an output shaft of a vehicle engine and the like, and more particularly to an improvement of a switching mechanismassociated with a governor mechanism driven by the rotary element. v

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The prime object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching mechanism including a first and a second switches. independently actuated in response to low and high speeds of a rotary element respectively, the whole switching mechanism being compactly associated with a governor mechanism.

Another object of the present invention. is to provide -an improved switching mechanism, having the abovementioned characteristics, wherein simple and external adjustment is enabled independently for. thegopening and/or closure timing of the first and second switches in accordance with the nature of devices to be controlled. r

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved'switching mechanism, having the abovementioned characteristics,- wherein the opening and closing operation of the switches can beconducted with good sensitivity.

' Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching mechanism, having the above-mentioned characteristics, wherein the first and second switches are adaptable respectively, for instance, to such controlmechanism as to control the distributorof a vehicle engine and to control the throttle valve of the carburetor of the engine,thereby to pre- BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF [THE DRAWINGS Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be more'readily apparent from the follow ing detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:-

. FIG. 1 is a view of an elevational cross-section of a governor switch apparatus in accordance with the present invention, showing'a cross-section taken along line I l of FlG.'2;

FIG. 2 is a view oftran'sversal cross-section taken r along-line II .II of FIG. 1;

I FIG. 3 is a perspective view to reveal the switching mechanism with the housing and'the governor mechanism removed.

DESCRIPTION 'OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a governor switch ap- The governor mechanism includes a carrier 3 journalled on the housing 1, a governor shaft 11 supported by the carrier 3 and the switch base 17, a pair of governor weights 9 and 10 pivoted on the carrier 3, and a sliding sleeve member 14 axially movable on the shaft 11. The carrier 3 is provided with a square hole 13 to support the top end of the shaft 11 and is rotatably mounted on the head portion of .the housing I through a metal bearing 2 so that a torque receiving portion 4 of the carrier 3 is connected with one end of a speedometer cable (not shown). The top end of the governor shaft 11 is formed to have a square cross-section which is correspondingly engaged with the square hole 13 of the carrier 3 and the base end of the shaft 11 is journalled on the switch base 17 by way of an O-ring 46, spacers 47 and 48 and a thrust washer 49 which is an E-shape ring mounted on the shaft 11, the base end of the shaft 11 being'driven by the vehicle transmission.

outwardly and inwardly around the pivot pins 7 and 8. The weights 9 and 10 further include legs-l5 and 16 re-,

spectively engageable with the end portion of the sleeve member l4. e

Adjacent the carrier 3, the sliding sleeve 14 is slidably coupled on the shaft 11 to move a seesaw lever 27 through an L-shape thrust plate 32 along the axis of the shaft 11 by way of the engagement with the legs 15 and 16 when the weights 9 and 10 move outwardly and inwardly. The seesaw lever 27 has the shaft 11 passing therethrough at the center thereof and is prevented from its rotation by a stopper pin '30 the top end of which is inserted through a hole'3l provided on the lever 27 and the base end of which is fixed on the switch base 17. The thrust plate 32 has its leg engaged with a hole 32a of the seesaw lever 27 for integrated movements with the lever 27.

As best observed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the improved switching mechanism comprises a first and/a second switches S and S which are associated with the abovementioned governor mechanism by way of the thrust plate 32 and the seesaw lever 27 and arranged symmetrically around the. seesawlever 27. t

In the first switching mechanism 8,, a switch plate Y18 and a contact holder 20 are fixedly mounted on the switch base 17 at the. base ends thereof by fastening screws 22 through insulators 19 and 21. The contact holder 20 is at its corner portion provided with a fixed contact 24 caulked thereon. Under the free end of the holder 20 in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first adjusting screw 36 is threadedly mounted on the switch base 17 from the outside for engagement with a screw driver to adjust the position of the fixed contact 24 upwardly or downwardly through an insulator 35 adhered on the contact holder 20in FIG. 3.

The 'switch plate 18 is composed of a flexible blade member the free end of -which is connected with one end of the seesaw lever 27 by way-of acoupling 26 which is at'its both ends engaged with the openings 28 vand'29 respectively provided on the lever 27 and thev with the fixed :contact 24 on the contact holder 20. A

bowed spring 25 is inserted under compression belates the closing timing of the first switch S The third adjusting screw 34 limits the movement of the free end of the switch plate 18.

In the second switching mechanism S a switch plate 38 and a contact holder 40 are mounted on the switch base 17 at their base ends by fastening screws 44 through insulators so that they are symmetrically ar-' ranged with the switch plate 18 and the contact holder 20. The contact holder 40 is at its corner portion provided with a fixed contact 41 caulked thereon. Under the free end of the holder 40 in FIGS. 2 and 3, a fourth adjusting screw 52 is threadedly mounted on the switch base 17 from the outside to adjust the position of the fixed'contact 41 upwardly or downwardly through an insulator 42 secured on the holder 40 in'FIG. 3.

The switch plate 38 is composed of a flexible blade member the free end of which is connected with the other end of theseesaw lever 27 by means of a coupling 50. Between the coupling 50 and the mounting face of the switch base 17, inserted is a coiled compression spring 45 to control the movement of the seesaw lever 27 when thrusted by the sliding sleeve 32 of the governor mechanism. At the flap portion of the switch plate 38, caulked is a movable contact 53 to engage with the fixed contact 41 on theholder 40 as well seen in FIG. 3. A bowed spring 43 is engaged undercompression between the flap portion and an opening end of the switch plate 38 to afford the switch plate 38 snap or overcentering action thereof. I

As well shown in FIG. 3,.' beneath. the movable contact 53 a fifth adjusting screw 51 is threadedly mounted on the switch base 17 to adjust the closing position of the second switch 5 Thus, the abovementioned switching mechanism is characterized in that thefree end of the first switch plate 18 is located under a claw portion-39 of thesecondcontact holder 40'and the free end of the second switch plate 38 is located under a claw portion 37 of the first contact holder 20 as viewed inv FIGS. 2 and 3.

In operation, as the governor shaft 11 is rotated and the governor speed increases, the .weights 9 and 10 move outwardly by centrifugal force given thereon. This causes thrusting engagement of the legs 15 and 16 of the weights with; the sliding sleeve 14- which urges, in turn, the seesaw lever 27 toward the switch plates 18 and 38 respectively through the couplings 26 and 50.

Due to the"bias'ing force of thespring 45, the first I switch plate 18 is first given lever action with a fulcrum Further increase of the governor speed displaces the seesawlever 27 to cause lever action of the lever 27 with a fulcrum at the third adjusting screw 34. This lever action overcomes the biasing force of the spring 45. Thus, the second switch plate 38 is pushed to have lever action with a'fulcrum of its movable'contact 53 the back side of which is supported by the fifth adjusting screw 5 1 forwarded to a desired position. Effecting the spring '43, the second switch plate 38 makes its snap action to engage the movable contact 53 with the fixed contact 41. Now, the second switching mechanism S is-actuated. V t

In accordance with the decrease of the governor speed, the thrusting force onto the seesaw lever 27 is decreased. Thus, first the biasing force of the spring45 starts to push back the second switch plate 38. When over-centering action of the second switch plate 38 overcomes the force of the spring 43, the switch plate 38 is snapped to its original position to open the'second switching mechanism S Further decrease of the "governor speed allows the I first switch plate 18 to return toward its original position. When over-centering action of the first switch plate 18 overcomes the force of the spring 25,,the switch plate 18 is snapped to its original position to open the first switching mechanism 5,.

In the above-mentioned operation, it should now be clear that the second and fifth adjusting screws 33 and 51 control respectively and independently the closure timing of the first and second switching-mechanisms S and S Forwarding of these screws advances the clo sure timing. The first and fourthadjusting screws 36 and 52 regulate respectively and independently the opening timing of the first and second switching mechanisms S and S The spring 45 is designed to have such a biasing force as to be enough to enable the first ent invention has been shown and described, itis obvious that many modifications and variations thereof are possible in light of these teachings. It is'to ,be understood therefore that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention. may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is clai I ed as. new. and desired to be secured by letters patent of the United States is:

4 1. In a governor switch apparatus comprising a housing mounted on a switch base, agovernor mechanism assembled within saidhousing tobe driven at various speeds of a rotary element, and a switchingmechanism assembled on said switch base to be actuated by said governor mechanism,

' the improvement wherein said switching mechanism comprises it .Q j a seesaw lever to be actuated at its central portion by said governor mechanism in response tothe speed of said rotary element;v I a first switching means with self-biased over-center snap action connected with a first end of said lever and including afirst normally open switch;

a second switching means with self-biased overcenter snap action connected with a second end of said lever to be arranged symmetrically with said first switching means around said lever and including a second normally open switch;

means for blocking the movement of the first end of said seesaw lever after closure of said first switch by means of actuation of said lever; and

a resilient means interposed between said second switching means and said switch base for normally biasing the second end of said seesaw lever against actuating force exerted on said lever to close said second switch after the closure of said first switch.

2. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism further comprises a first and a second adjusting means for independently adjusting each closing position of said first and second switches respectively.

3. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism-further comprises a third and a fourth adjusting means for independently adjusting each opening position of said first and second switches respectively.

4. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first switching means comprises a selfbiased over-center snap acting plate which is tiltably mounted on said switch base at itsbase end and is connected with the first end of said seesaw lever at its free end, said plate including a movable contact thereon,

and a support member the base end of which is mounted on said switch base together with said plate and a portion of which includes thereon a fixed contact said movable contact and a second adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said fixed contact, whereby said first and second screws adjust respectively theclosing and opening positions of said first switch.

6. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for blocking the movement of the first end of said seesaw lever is an adjusting screw threadedly mounted on said switch base externally.

'7. A governor switch apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein said second switching means comprises a self-biased over-center snap acting plate which is tiltably mounted on said switch base at its baseend and is connected with the second end of said seesaw lever at its free end, said plate including a movable contact thereon, and a support member the base end of which is mounted on said switch base together with said plate and a portion of which includes thereon a fixed contact engageable with said movable contact, said second switch being composed of said movable contact and said fixed contact.

8., A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said movable contact and a second adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said fixed contact whereby the closing and opening positions of 'said second switch is adjusted by said first and second screws respectively.

9. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said resilient means for normally biasing'the second end of said seesaw lever is a coiled spring interposed between the mounting face of said switch base and the free end of said plate. 

1. In a governor switch apparatus comprising a housing mounted on a switch base, a governor mechanism assembled within said housing to be driven at various speeds of a rotary element, and a switching mechanism assembled on said switch base to be actuated by said governor mechanism, the improvement wherein said switching mechanism comprises a seesaw lever to be actuated at its central portion by said governor mechanism in response to the speed of said rotary element; a first switching means with self-biased over-center snap action connected with a first end of said lever and including a first normally open switch; a second switching means with self-biased over-center snap action connected with a second end of said lever to be arranged symmetrically with said first switching means around said lever and including a second normally open switch; means for blocking the movement of the first end of said seesaw lever after closure of said first switch by means of actuation of said lever; and a resilient means interposed between said second switching means and said switch base for normally biasing the second end of said seesaw lever against actuating force exerted on said lever to close said second switch after the closure of said first switch.
 2. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism further comprises a first and a second adjusting means for independently adjusting each closing position of said first and second switches respectively.
 3. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism further comprises a third and a fourth adjusting means for independently adjusting each opening position of said first and second switches respectively.
 4. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first switching means comprises a self-biased over-center snap acting plate which is tiltably mounted on said switch base at its base end and is connected with the first end of said seesaw lever at its free end, said plate including a movable contact thereon, and a support member the base end of which is mounted on said switch base together with said plate and a portion of which includes thereon a fixed contact engageable with said movable contact, said first switch being compOsed of said movable contact and said fixed contact.
 5. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said movable contact and a second adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said fixed contact, whereby said first and second screws adjust respectively the closing and opening positions of said first switch.
 6. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for blocking the movement of the first end of said seesaw lever is an adjusting screw threadedly mounted on said switch base externally.
 7. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second switching means comprises a self-biased over-center snap acting plate which is tiltably mounted on said switch base at its base end and is connected with the second end of said seesaw lever at its free end, said plate including a movable contact thereon, and a support member the base end of which is mounted on said switch base together with said plate and a portion of which includes thereon a fixed contact engageable with said movable contact, said second switch being composed of said movable contact and said fixed contact.
 8. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said movable contact and a second adjusting screw is threadedly mounted on said switch base externally to adjust the position of said fixed contact whereby the closing and opening positions of said second switch is adjusted by said first and second screws respectively.
 9. A governor switch apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said resilient means for normally biasing the second end of said seesaw lever is a coiled spring interposed between the mounting face of said switch base and the free end of said plate. 